Washing machine



Feb. 10,1 1970 i R. M. PICK 3,494,152

WASHING MACHINE Filed March 21. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 3 ROBERT M. PICK A T TORNE Y United States Patent 3,494,152 WASHING MACHINE Robert M. Pick, 3940 Bob St., San Diego, Calif. 92110 Filed Mar. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 715,075 Int. Cl. D06f 31/00, 27/00 U Cl. 68-13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A washing machine of the top-loading and agitator type employing a movable container which may be in the form of a tub or perforated basket for clothes and an integral element, the latter forming an inner tub within the container, the inner tub being spaced sufficiently from the inside wall of the container for the ready insertion into and removal of clothes from the container, the integral element being fixed to the container and including agitator members extending outwardly and inwardly from the circumferential side wall of said inner tub. The inner tub is imperforate except for openings in the extreme top whereby the inner tube and container are not in communication during the washing and rinsing phases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention is directed to washing machines of the type which are provided with an agitator which is oscillated during the washing and rinsing phase and which is rotated during the water-extracting phase.

Description of the prior art The prior art disclosures such as that in the Hubbard Patent No. 3,324,688, requires the removal of the inner basket before access can be had to the interior of the outer basket.

In the prior art disclosures such as that of Bochan Patent No. 3,014,358, the inner baskets are in intercommunicative relationship through openings in the bottom wall of the inner basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The washing machine of the present invention comprises a frame which supports a movable container in the form of either an outer tub or a perforated basket having a centrally disposed opening in the top. An integral structure is disposed within the container and includes an inner tub and an agitator. The inner tub has an imperforate bottom wall and a circumferential side wall. This side wall is provided with openings in the extreme top thereof and is imperforate below these holes. The periphery of the side wall of the inner tub is spaced from the side wall of the container and the rim of the inner tub is spaced from the perimeter of the opening in the top of the container, the spacings being sufficient for the removal from and insertion of clothes into the container while the integral structure is in place in the container.

The agitator includes agitator members which extend outwardly and inwardly from the side wall of the inner tub whereby the Waters and clothes in both tubs are agitated. These members may be in the form of heat insulators.

Other features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings where in a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

3,494,152 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, with parts removed and broken away and demonstrating the washin g fluid handling circuits;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper left hand portion of the inner tub shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more in detail to the drawings, the washing machine 20 includes a cabinet 22, a control panel 24, access opening 26 in the top which is closed by a lid 28. This access opening provides for the loading and unloading of the washing machine.

A stationary tub 30 is disposed within the cabinet 22 and is provided with an opening 32 in the top thereof. A container 34, which may be perforated throughout the entire side walls, as is standard practice, is disposed within the stationary tub 30. It is provided with an annular ring at the top thereof forming an opening 38. The container 34 is provided with a plurality of slits 40 at the top for the egress of water and the upper extending portion 42 of the ring 36 is provided with a plurality of holes 44 for the egress of water.

The stationary tub 30 is supported upon the housing of a transmission mechanism 46, which, in turn, is supported on a tubular column 48. A rigid base 50 resiliently supports column 48 and provides for limited movement of the latter. A supported construction of this general type is disclosed in the patent to Alfred G. Staengle et al., No. 3,245,504, issued Apr. 12, 1966, and in the J. R. Hubbard Patent No. 3,324,688.

The integral structure 52 is formed ofinner and outer cast section suitably fastened and sealed to one another. The structure 52 forms a tub 54 and agitator blades 56 and 58 and is disposed within the container 34. This container 34 and the integral structure 52 are adapted to be oscillated about a vertical axis. The structure 52 includes an agitator shaft 60 which is coupled with transmission mechanism 46, and with a belt 62 the latter being coupled through the drive shaft 64 with the transmission mechanism. A two-speed reversible motor 66 drives a pulley 68 which, in turn, drives pulley 70 through the belt 62. A container extension 72, which is coaxial with the drive shaft 64, is also connected with elements of transmission mechanism 46 to provide both for locking the container 34 while the agitator is operating and unlocking the container 34 so that it and the integral structure 52 can be rotated at centrifuging speeds.

The foregoing mechanism is like that shown in the aforementioned Hubbard patent and is conventional and is constructed and arranged so that when the motor 66 is caused to rotate in one direction, container 34 is held stationary by braking elements of transmission mechanism 46 acting on container extension 72, and the integral structure 52 is oscillated. When the motor is caused to rotate in the other direction, the brake is released and the container 34, together with the structure 52, is rotated at centrifuging speed. It will be understood that, for the purpose of the present invention, a variety of speed drive arrangements would be found suitable.

The integral structure 52 is provided with a sleeve sec tion 74 which receives the agitator shaft 60 and the structure 52 is fixed to the agitator shaft 60 by a nut 76. Preferably the agitator shaft is keyed to the sleeve 74 by any suitable form of key (not shown).

For reasons hereinafter explained, the inner tub 54 includes an inner wall 78 and an outer wall 80 which are spaced from one another to form a circular heat insulating chamber 82. The agitator blades 56 are formed integrally and extend radially outwardly from the wall 78 and the agitator blades 58 are formed integrally with and extend radially inwardly from the wall 80'. These agitator blades can also be hollow to increase the capacity of the chamber 82. An annulus 84 is suitably attached to the top of the tub 54 and substantially closes the chamber 82. The underside of annulus 84 is provided with a plurality of recesses 86 which register with recesses 88 in the top of outer wall 78 to form a plurality of slots 90 leading from the chamber 82. The underside of annulus 84 is provided with a second set of recesses 92 which register with recesses 94 in the top of inner wall 80 to form a plurality of slots 96. The annulus 84 is provided with an inwardly extending lip 98 and with a plurality of slots 100 below the lip.

Waters may be applied to the tubs 30 and 54 in any suitable manner and for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, the system can be like that shown in the aforementioned Hubbard patent. A fillnozzle 102 for inner tub 54 is connected to valve 104 and fill nozzle 106 for the stationary tub 30 is connected to valve 108. Each of the valves 104 and 108 is connected to a selectively adjustable hot and cold water mixing valve 110 and each is controlled respectively by solenoids 112 and 114. Hot water is supplied by energizing a solenoid 116 and cold water is supplied by energizing a solenoid 118'. Warm water is supplied by energizing solenoids 116 and 118 simultaneously.

A drain tube 120 is provided for stationary tub 30. A pressure controlled switch 122 has its sensing element in fluid-flow communication with the upper part of tub 30 and is operative to de-energize solenoid 114 when water reaches a predetermined level in the tub 30. The quantity of water delivered to the inner tub 54 can be controlled in any suitable manner, as for example, a water meter 124 disposed in the water inlet pipe 126. This meter is energized by solenoid 128 through timing mechanism 130.

A pump 132 of the conventional rotary impeller type has one port connected with drain 120 and its other port connected with a discharge hose 134.

In the event of malfunction of the meter 124, such as that which would cause a leak, the water overflowing in tub 54 will pass through the slots 96 in the open part of the tub and into the chamber 82.

During the centrifuging operation, the water in the tub 54 will pass through the slots 90, 96' and 100 and into the container 34, whence it passes through the perforations and into the stationary tub 30. The inner wall 80- of the inner tub 54 increases in diameter upwardly so as to aid the centrifuging action in expelling the water therefrom.

The controls for the water, the agitation and the centrifuging action may be the same as that disclosed in the Hubbard patent aforementioned.

It will be observed that the distance between the rim of the annulus 84 and the inner surface of the container 34 and between the rim of annulus 84 and the upper extending portion 42 of the ring 36 is such that access can be had to the interior of container 34, although the integral structure 52, including the inner tub 54, is in position whereby the clothes can be readily inserted into or withdrawn from the container 34.

During the centrifuging action, all waters within the container 34, including that discharged from the inner tub 54, pass into the tub 30. The container 34 may be in the form of a tub, i.e., the side walls thereof would not be provided with holes 136. In that event, during the centrifuging operation all waters would be discharged through the slots 40 and the holes 44 in the container 34. The container, when functioning as a tub, is preferably increased in diameter upwardly so as to augment the centrifuging 4 action in discharging the water through the slots 40 and holes 44.

Water which may enter the chamber 82 in tub 54 is drained through a passage 138 in the column 74, whence it escapes to the base 50 and is drained therefrom through a discharge outlet 140 and hose 142. An overflow drain 144 is provided for the outer tub 30. Overflow water falls to the base 50 and is drained through outlet 140. Outlet hoses 134 and 142 are connected in any suitable manner to a sewer pipe. In the event of malfunctioning of the draining of chamber 82, water will be discharged through the slots which are in the junctures between the outer wall 78 and the bottom of the annulus 84.

The present invention is not only useful for domestic use, but also is particularly useful in washing machine establishments wherein the public can do their washing on a charge basis.

The integral structure 52 being fixed within the container 34 cannot be removed and, therefore, cannot be lost or dropped. When the machine is employed in commercial establishments, the structure 52 cannot be stolen.

In practicing the present invention, extremely hot water can be used in the container 34 or cold or warm water can be used simultaneously in the inner tub 54, and vice versa. The space 82 or chamber 82 forms an insulation between the interior of inner tub 54 and the container 34, whereby a high difference can be maintained between the temperature in the interior of the container and the in terior of the inner tub.

It will be observed that the blades 56 for agitating the water in container 34 extend below the bottom of the inner tub 54 and the outer surface area of these blades 56 is greater than that of the blades 58. In this manner, the agitation effect in tub 54 is less than the agitation effect of the blades in container 34. In this manner milder action can be imparted to more delicate materials.

It is also to be observed that the present washing machine is far more simple than those of the prior art and more simple to operate, particularly those machines in which an inner basket must be removed in order to have access to the main container.

The present invention is particularly applicable for commercial coin-operated machines since the average washing includes linens, mens underwear, towels, etc., and materials of delicate fabric. In practicing the present invention the heavier and coarser fabrics will be placed in the container 34 and the more delicate fabrics will be placed in the inner tub 54. Access can be had independently to either the container or the inner tub for withdrawing the materials. For example, after the oscillation of the agitator is stopped, usually by opening the lid 28, materials within the inner tub 54 may be withdrawn when it is still desirable to continue the washing of the materials in the container 34, and vice versa.

During the washing cycle, the materials in the container 34 and the inner tub 54 are visible. This is important since at times it is desirable to add additional bleach, soap or softeners.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described constitutes preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. A washing machine comprising in combination;

(A) a frame;

(B) a clothes container supported by the frame, said container having a centrally disposed opening in the top throughwhich clothes are moved;

(C) integral means disposed in the container and forming:

(l) a tub having:

(a) an imperforate bottom wall, (b) a circumferential side wall having openings in the extreme top and being imperforate therebelow, the periphery of the side walls of the tub being spaced from the inner side of the container and the rim of the tub being spaced from the perimeter of the opening in the top wall of the container, said spacings being sufiicient for the removal from and insertion into the container of clothes while the integral means is disposed in the container;

(2) agitator members extending outwardly and inwardly from the sidewall of the tub;

(D) and means for actuating the integral means (C).

2. A washing machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the tub increases in diameter upwardly.

3. A washing machine as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the tub is circular and has a vertically extending axis.

4. A washing machine as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the bottom of the tub is spaced from the bottom of the container and that the outwardly extending members of the agitator extend to adjacent the bottom of the container.

5. A washing machine as defined in claim .1, characterized in that the bottom of the tub is spaced from the bottom of the container and that the outwardly extending members of the agitator extend to adjacent the bottom of the container.

6. A washing machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the total surface area of the outwardly 6 extending agitator members is greater than the total surface area of the inwardly extending agitator members.

7. A washing machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the agitator members provide heat insulators.

8. A washing machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the agitator members are hollow.

9. A washing machine as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the agitator members are hollow and have an opening in the top thereof.

10. A washing machine as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the total surface area of the outwardly extending agitator members is greater than the total surface area of the inwardly extending agitator members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,014,358 12/1961 Bochan 68-4 3,091,107 5/1963 Rhodes 684 3,324,688 6/1967 Hubbard 6823.7 XR 3,327,506 6/1967 Jacobsen 684 ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner US. 01. X.R. 

